Disturbing incident at Epcot last Thursday . . .

[Mariposa]

Now, we are playing putting words in people's mouths. Eh? Where have I said, anywhere, that these parents are bad?? I simply stated, and stick to this fact. The child was lost due to the parent/parents, caregiver, being distracted. There is no honest way under God's green earth. I would ever, let my 5 year old wander off, unattended. Really add that up, and ponder it for a minute. A 5 year old lost? Only equals, distracted parent/parents. Simple.

My point. I will not lose my child simple. So, thank you. But, I will not need a plan. My plan, of watching my children, at all times. Has worked out just fine thus far. But I do have a plan for you. Please do not add words, to the things I have typed. I would so much appreciate it. Thank you.

Okay, whatever, I'm not going to argue whether or not you implied anything about the parenting of other posters. It doesn't matter at this point. What I will ask is that you reconsider your stance on having no plan in case your child becomes lost. Sometimes you have no control over what happens. What if you were to faint or otherwise lose consciousness? I know it sounds silly, but it happens. That has nothing to do with how attentive you are as a parent and you lose nothing in being prepared. I'm sure you're an amazingly involved and caring mom and wish you nothing but happiness, honestly- I just always think having all levels of preparedness covered is a good idea as there are some things it is impossible to completely control.

 

[thotfulspot]

I personally don't think anyone should tell any parent what to do until their own children are completely grown. The older the kids get, the more humble a parent becomes. Mine are in college, I judge no one, and thank my lucky stars that my boys are very nice wonderful young men. How they got that way I hope is because of some good parenting and a loving home, but looking back...it's a hard road and like I said, very humbling.

Let's just put it this way. Before I had kids I was the perfect parent, and would of course have perfect children because I KNEW exactly how to raise them right......27 years later..... I am humbly grateful that they turned out as they did, realizing how little I know.

I don't want to jump into the fray, but I just have to say that I agree so much with this. I think the biggest lesson learned in getting older is in humility. Things that seemed so clear and so obvious when one is young and childless become murkier as one moves along life's journey, learning how human one is after all.

 

[DebbieinWA]

I lost my DD during parade time at the MK. Our group was walking single file through the crowds of people, and somehow she got separated. Because of the crowds, we didn't realize until we arrived at the restaurant we were going to that she was missing. Of course I panicked. As the parade crowds thinned, I searched all over for her. A CM noticed, and immediately started asking me questions (her age, appearance, what she was wearing, etc.). CM radio'd other CM's, and within about 10 minutes, a CM walked up to me with DD. What a relief! I was very impressed with their system for returning children to lost parents!

 

[Teacher03]

Dont make a mountain out of a mole hill. In quote.

Are we talking about me being in control of life(Death, taxes)? Or are we talking about, me watching my children? Lets not swerve roads. Making zigzags, and slashes. Let's stick to the topic. Shall we? Please try to, I am sure, if you do. You will see things much more clear. Hold your breath now, count to 10, and take a deep breath. Ok, now. Please let's just stick to the topic

Now, point again is this. I watch my children, at all times. Yes. AT all times. It is possible not to lose a child. Really, it is. If said parent was watching, thier child, how would they get lost? The parent was distracted. End point.

You can watch your child at all times and still be separated. I was at the zoo with my 4 year old daughter, holding her hand, my eyes were on her, and a crowd decided to work their way between us. I lost my grip on her and she disappeared into the crowd. She was only missing for about five minutes, but it was the scariest five minutes of my life.

Don't be so condescending and judgemental.

 

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

I posted earlier about what I do and have never lost my children, when I remembered losing my daughter on an elevator. She was 3 and we went to get off the elevator and she decided she wasnt.(maybe not really lost) We were in Pensacola Florida. She started pushing buttons and running off the elevator floor screaming Mommy. My husband told me to stay on the bottom floors and he started running the steps. Everyone was trying to help. Finally my husband got her on one of the floors and brought her back down. I knew where she was, I could hear her, but I was still terrified and so was she. We never had anymore problems with her staying close. So it is that easy for them to get away from you, no matter what the crowds are like, or how close you watch them.

 

[pntrdoc]

I am a retired police office and when I was at WDW in May I saw a girl about 4 years old and a baby in a stroller alone in FW. They were at least fifty feet from the nearest group of people just standing on the walkway. I watched them for about 20 minutes before the mother who had been getting food at the Rose and Crown finally came back to them. In that length of time anyone could have walked off with those children and the mother would have known anything about it.

 

[snowbunny]

Now, point again is this. I watch my children, at all times. Yes. AT all times. It is possible not to lose a child. Really, it is. If said parent was watching, thier child, how would they get lost?

This is funny. I'm guessing your kids are under 10? Because at some point in their lives, you are *not* going to be able to watch them at all times.

When they're 11 and they want to walk home from school instead of taking the bus, are you going to discreetly follow them home every day in the car? When they're 12 and they want to go to the snack bar 100 feet down the beach with a friend, are you going to order the rest of your kids out of the water so you can follow them? - with the other kids in tow so you can be watching them AT all times too? (That second example is how I lost my DD for an hour, after she and her friend went for snacks and then sat down to talk in a place that was not visible from the beach. I was worried sick and had to get a park ranger to help find them.)

Check back in and tell us you watch your kids AT all times when they are a bit older.

 

[heatherfeather24]

This is funny. I'm guessing your kids are under 10? Because at some point in their lives, you are *not* going to be able to watch them at all times.

When they're 11 and they want to walk home from school instead of taking the bus, are you going to discreetly follow them home every day in the car? When they're 12 and they want to go to the snack bar 100 feet down the beach with a friend, are you going to order the rest of your kids out of the water so you can follow them? - with the other kids in tow so you can be watching them AT all times too? (That second example is how I lost my DD for an hour, after she and her friend went for snacks and then sat down to talk in a place that was not visible from the beach. I was worried sick and had to get a park ranger to help find them.)

Check back in and tell us you watch your kids AT all times when they are a bit older.

This is what I was actually trying to get at. Thank you Snowbunny for being much more eloquent and much less sarcastic than I.

 

[GoofyforDisney3]

Now, we are playing putting words in people's mouths. Eh? Where have I said, anywhere, that these parents are bad?? I simply stated, and stick to this fact. The child was lost due to the parent/parents, caregiver, being distracted. There is no honest way under God's green earth. I would ever, let my 5 year old wander off, unattended. Really add that up, and ponder it for a minute. A 5 year old lost? Only equals, distracted parent/parents. Simple.

My point. I will not lose my child simple. So, thank you. But, I will not need a plan. My plan, of watching my children, at all times. Has worked out just fine thus far. But I do have a plan for you. Please do not add words, to the things I have typed. I would so much appreciate it. Thank you.

Wow! How do you manage to watch were you are walking if you watch your children at all times? I am impressed!

I can guarantee that no one that has ever "lost" a child had actually LET their child wander off unattended. Be for real! I think you may have just insulted just about every parent on the face of this earth. I am really glad that you do not feel like you will ever "loose" your child and do not need to have a plan in place. But, for all of us lesser than perfect parents, it is best to have some kind of a plan in place. I just hope that nothing ever happens that your child doesn't decide he/she wants to do something other than what you have in mind for them and they become "lost"; because, it is the unprepared for anything parent (and one that is in denial that their child can do something like wander off) that will really have a hard time finding their child.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Wow! How do you manage to watch were you are walking if you watch your children at all times? I am impressed!

I can guarantee that no one that has ever "lost" a child had actually LET their child wander off unattended. Be for real! I think you may have just insulted just about every parent on the face of this earth. I am really glad that you do not feel like you will ever "loose" your child and do not need to have a plan in place. But, for all of us lesser than perfect parents, it is best to have some kind of a plan in place. I just hope that nothing ever happens that your child doesn't decide he/she wants to do something other than what you have in mind for them and they become "lost"; because, it is the unprepared for anything parent (and one that is in denial that their child can do something like wander off) that will really have a hard time finding their child.

I do not think the people who watch their children closely are saying that it makes them "perfect." That is your interpretation. There are a whole lot of us who think that watching them is just something we HAVE to do for our peace of mind and their safety. Doesn't make us perfect.

I do not buy your argument that if you are watching your children, you cannot watch where you are going. Puhleeze. I was able to walk and watch three little boys and not lose them. I wasn't in denial. They couldn't wander off because I had them strapped in strollers or by the hand. At all times, they were in my vision. NO WAY they could have "wandered off."

If you want to plan on what you'll do when you lose a child, that is fine for you.

If someone else wants to plan on watching the kid at all times, that is fine for them.

Everyone does the best they can to raise their kids and I don't think it is fair to insult people who have decided to watch their kids every second. That's their choice.

 

[faindrops27]

Wow! How do you manage to watch were you are walking if you watch your children at all times? I am impressed!

I can guarantee that no one that has ever "lost" a child had actually LET their child wander off unattended. Be for real! I think you may have just insulted just about every parent on the face of this earth. I am really glad that you do not feel like you will ever "loose" your child and do not need to have a plan in place. But, for all of us lesser than perfect parents, it is best to have some kind of a plan in place. I just hope that nothing ever happens that your child doesn't decide he/she wants to do something other than what you have in mind for them and they become "lost"; because, it is the unprepared for anything parent (and one that is in denial that their child can do something like wander off) that will really have a hard time finding their child.

Uggh. Ok. "I can guarantee that no one that has lost a child had actually let thier child wander off unattended??" Me insulting parents?? Alrighty then? I gotcha. But really what you just typed. does that really make sense? Look, at a previous post. The story, in which a 4 year old, and a baby, left unattended for 20 minutes. What is your answer for that? Where were the parents? Ladies, please lets not fight. and blow things out of porportion. Ok?

 

[GoofyforDisney3]

I do not think the people who watch their children closely are saying that it makes them "perfect." That is your interpretation. There are a whole lot of us who think that watching them is just something we HAVE to do for our peace of mind and their safety. Doesn't make us perfect.

I do not buy your argument that if you are watching your children, you cannot watch where you are going. Puhleeze. I was able to walk and watch three little boys and not lose them. I wasn't in denial. They couldn't wander off because I had them strapped in strollers or by the hand. At all times, they were in my vision. NO WAY they could have "wandered off."

If you want to plan on what you'll do when you lose a child, that is fine for you.

If someone else wants to plan on watching the kid at all times, that is fine for them.

Everyone does the best they can to raise their kids and I don't think it is fair to insult people who have decided to watch their kids every second. That's their choice.

You are right, that is all my interpretation of what was being said. Sorry if that is wrong. Your statement, however, implies that I am not watching my child, but that's okay because you are entitle to your interpretation.

Also, the statement concerning not being able to watch were you are going was ment to be a joke, that is why I put the laughing "guy" after my statement and seperated it from my other comments.

I still stand by my comment that thinking nothing can ever happen because you watch your child at all times is being in denial. Having a child strapped into a stroller is different that having a child that is walking next to you pull away and run to look at, etc. Holding hands is great, but as previous posters have pointed out, it isn't full proof and IMHO parents should have a plan just in case. If a parent didn't think something could ever happen than there would be no reason to watch our children so closely and I for one feel that you as a parent should be prepared for the unexpected. Sorry if that is wrong, but that is my feeling and I am allowed to express them. If I insulted someone, it was not intentional.

 

[GoofyforDisney3]

Uggh. Ok. "I can guarantee that no one that has lost a child had actually let thier child wander off unattended??" Me insulting parents?? Alrighty then? I gotcha. But really what you just typed. does that really make sense? Look, at a previous post. The story, in which a 4 year old, and a baby, left unattended for 20 minutes. What is your answer for that? Where were the parents? Ladies, please lets not fight. and blow things out of porportion. Ok?

I'm sorry you feel I didn't make sense, but I am not sure I understand what you are trying to say either. However, I do feel it was insulting to parents (including myself) when you commented on how you would never let your child wander off. I am sure no parent has ever allowed their child to wander off and get lost. It implies, IMHO, that parents that have had this happen are not being good parents, but you are because you watch them "at all times". Sorry if that is a misinterpretation, but that is how I read it.

I didn't not refer to the previous post about the 4 year old and a baby because I felt that it was two seperate scenerios. A parent just being negligent is different that a parent that has a child wander off or get lost in a crowd.

Sorry if you thought this was fighting. I thought it was a discussion and I was giving my opinion and commenting on your previous post.

 

[faindrops27]

Goofy, maybe we just misunderstood one another. I am in no way trying to insult anyone here. If I have, I am sorry. I am not saying that anyone here is a bad parent? How would I know. I am simply stating. That I am a parent who is on edge, overprotective, and always watching my child. I dont know what other way to express this. Without, others getting defensive.

Anyhow, I just got in from fashion bug, and ladies. If you need some capris for your trip. Run, dont walk there. I was just there to look, (yeah right). Well they have stretch jean capris really nice ones for 4.00.. Some were marked down from 40.00. Just a tip for the ladies!!

 

[katerkat]

Did anyone post some of Disney protocols or did we just get into a fight about being perfect parents? (I only read the first two and last two pages, sorry!)

I was the QUEEN of lost kids at Blizzard Beach, which was a bit easier on parents since it's a smaller park. My last day, I had four lost kids. They all just found me. As a lifeguard, I pulled the kid to the side (out of the creek, etc) and called my supervisor. Supervisor immediately contacted the Lost Parent Center to see if someone had called in the parents, then Supervisor comes to the guard stand to take the child over to the Lost Parent Center. One of my kids just got ahead of his parents in the creek and was reunited a few minutes later when they caught up, and the others were reunited at the Lost Parent Center.

As a former CM and a mother - please tell your children it's OK to tell a CM that they're lost. And even though I know the perfect parents watch their kids at all times (hey, I'm DISing and watching my kid....take all my credit cards out of my wallet and shoving them into the couch....), it's always good to have a back-up plan just in case.

 

[remmy_7]

I am not a parent, but I was a wandering child. My parents used to keep me on a harness when going to amusement parks and crowded places.

So did my parents. I used to get mad hearing about how my mom put me on a harness (leash) when I was a toddler. But hearing about these horror stories about missing children, I'm thankful she did it.

Hope they find that child safe.

 

[brbenoit]

This is funny. I'm guessing your kids are under 10? Because at some point in their lives, you are *not* going to be able to watch them at all times.

When they're 11 and they want to walk home from school instead of taking the bus, are you going to discreetly follow them home every day in the car? When they're 12 and they want to go to the snack bar 100 feet down the beach with a friend, are you going to order the rest of your kids out of the water so you can follow them? - with the other kids in tow so you can be watching them AT all times too? (That second example is how I lost my DD for an hour, after she and her friend went for snacks and then sat down to talk in a place that was not visible from the beach. I was worried sick and had to get a park ranger to help find them.)

Check back in and tell us you watch your kids AT all times when they are a bit older.

Yes, there will be times that you cannot see your children every waking moment.

Or looking at it from a different perspective. If you were to do the things that you are saying (follow them everywhere etc). The effect could be a reduction of their independence and ability to do things for themselves.

It is critical to teach them how to react in situations where they are seperated from their parents and need help. Because there will be a time that they WILL do something on their own.

 

[brbenoit]

I can guarantee that no one that has ever "lost" a child had actually LET their child wander off unattended. Be for real! I think you may have just insulted just about every parent on the face of this earth.

The sad thing is that child neglect does occur and there are parents who do leave their children unattended. We saw it at DL several years ago while the parents went on a ride their kids were too small for.

This type of behavior is not typical not would I expect any of the parents on this board to fit into this type of parent, but they do exist.

As I said in a previous post, parents do the best that they can to reduce the likelyhood of losing their child. It is impossible to eliminate, but you do everything you can (especially contingency plans for if it does occur) to reduce the chances.

 

[liveforthemagic]

Along the lines of educating your children on what to do, check with your hospitals or police departments or YMCA's. In my area, they offer a Stranger Danger camp in the summer to teach little ones how to proceed if they find themselves lost, and also to educate them on how to protect themselves. They explain to the kids that strangers may not always look scary, they tell them about the scenarios to look out for--like someone asking them to help them find their lost puppy, etc.

I don't know about you guys, but I find it a little "touchy" to discuss this with my kids cause I don't want to freak them out, but I do want them to be aware. I found that the camp they went to was just the right mix for their ages and they became confident but not paranoid.

 

[MermaidMommy]

liveforthemagic, I know what you mean about the "touchy" safety issues. I was in a small store at a mall with DD then 5, and a little girl around 4 or so went to look at some dolls that were near the door into the mall. Mind you, the mom and grandma could see the girl the whole time, and the girl was still in the store about 20 feet from her family, but the mom started screaming "Get away from the door! Someone could take you and we would never see you again!" We had talked to DD about strangers and age-appropriate safety issues, but we hadn't gotten into specifics about kidnapping with her, and this really freaked her out. I understand wanting to keep your children safe, but let's not make them terrified to go out into the world.

If you don't mind me asking, how did your camp approach it with your kids?